It wasn’t the most eventful end to an enthralling week, but there was still plenty to cherish from Newcastle United’s hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Madejski.

Clearly during the second half, fatigue took its toll on the Magpies following their exertions of the previous week, but Newcastle actually had more clear-cut opportunities than Reading.

Matt Ritchie hit the post for the visitors, while Daryl Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey also had opportunities.

But there were also some moments you might have missed from the game. Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh runs you through some of them.

Yoan Gouffran of Newcastle United (20) lays on the ground with an injury to his eye (Image: Newcastle United)

Traffic chaos affects both home and away fans

Many people queried why this match kicked off at 8pm but Reading’s evening matches just about always do - and it’s easy to understand why after this. The match kicked off with the ground close to half-empty, primarily due to the traffic problems on the M4 around the Madejski. That’s the problem with these out-of-town stadia which can only really be accessed by road...

Almost another calamitous defensive mix-up

Paul Dummett and Karl Darlow combined to concede a howler against Bristol City a week-and-a-half ago - and they almost did likewise at the Madejski. A back-tracking Dummett nodded the ball straight into the air and Darlow, who did not react immediately, only just got to the ball ahead of the on-rushing Lewis Grabban. Crisis averted on this occasion, thankfully.

A third different gameplan in as many matches - involving the old-fashioned 4-4-2

Benitez is renowned for his tactical genius - and that was once again on show in Berkshire. In three of the Magpies’ toughest away assignments of the season, all of which came in consecutive matches, the Spaniard has implemented three very different gameplans. On this occasion, Newcastle were more 4-4-2 than 4-2-3-1, with the Magpies allowing Reading to have the ball in their own half, before intercepting in midfield and counter attacking at pace.

“Put it in the box”

The Royals dominated possession as they always do, but for large parts the home side’s passing led to very little. Possession needs to serve a purpose, and at times Reading’s sideways passing appeared to be aimless. Newcastle were able to soak that up and catch the home side on the break with some precise first-half counters. Reading fans didn’t appear impressed at times, imploring their side to simply “put it in the box”...

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Reading’s best chances arrive in the first and last minutes

Inside 60 seconds, Lewis Grabban placed a free header past the near post from just five yards. Then, in injury time, Garath McCleary rattled the Newcastle crossbar. Those were Reading’s best chances by a distance, and they can at the very start and very end - but there was very little threat from the Royals in between.

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Gouff takes a whack to the face

As the game ticked past the hour mark, Yoan Gouffran received a whack to the face from Joey van den Berg during a coming together on the edge of the box. After some initial treatment, Gouffran temporarily returned to the field, but was eventually forced off altogether with a nasty-looking graze above his eye because the medical staff simply could not stop the bleeding.

“We’ve got the record, 106”

Another chant from the home faithful, who referred to their 2006 record Championship points tally as they always do, and then taunted Newcastle fans with: “You’ll never sing that.” Perhaps not, given that even if the Magpies win all of their remaining 10 games they will only chalk up 107 points, but the fact is Newcastle look set for a Premier League return - while Reading’s future is far from certain, with the play-offs appearing inevitable.